Buffering against Academic Loneliness: The Benefits of Social Media-Based Peer Support during Postgraduate Study

Autor/inn/en	McLaughlin, Christopher James; Sillence, Elizabeth
Titel	Buffering against Academic Loneliness: The Benefits of Social Media-Based Peer Support during Postgraduate Study
Quelle	In: Active Learning in Higher Education, 24 (2023) 1, S.63-76 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1469-7874
DOI	10.1177/1469787418799185
Schlagwörter	Interpersonal Relationship; Graduate Students; Student Adjustment; Social Media; Peer Relationship; Psychological Patterns; Foreign Countries; Social Networks; Student Attitudes; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Adjustment; Schüler; Schülerin; Adaptation; Soziale Medien; Peer-Beziehungen; Ausland; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Schülerverhalten; Großbritannien
Abstract	Although the support provided by social relationships may be essential to a successful student transition, the transition to postgraduate study has had little consideration from a social support perspective. The study described in this article investigated the role played by social support in postgraduate taught students' adjustment to university, and how social media contributes to this support. Thematic analysis indicated that participants benefitted most from specialised support from peers dealing with similar academic challenges. Facebook groups showed potential as a platform for building supportive peer networks. However, the heightened visibility of communications on this platform led some participants towards Facebook Messenger as a medium for peer contact. The study suggested that, in order to meet postgraduates' needs, institutions could ensure postgraduate students have sufficient opportunity for collaboration within their cohorts. In addition, while social media may aid this process, students' individual communication preferences may inevitably influence their engagement with particular platforms. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01